Lewis's 1st Birthday

I can't believe this little ratbag has been in our lives for one whole year!  Time has just flown and we have so enjoyed the new dynamic he has brought to our little family.  Every morning I am greeted with this cheeky grin which, if I don't remove him from the cot at lightning speed, quickly turns to a frustrated frown!

 

Poppa was his first well wisher for his birthday.  He came bearing gifts which had Heidi beside herself with the prospect of present opening.  Lewis couldn't quite grasp the concept of unwrapping so Heidi was more than happy to step up to the challenge on his behalf.

 

Birthday cake making was next on the agenda and Lewis got his first taste of cake batter.  This little bit of heaven on a spatula has seen Heidi's exclusive rights to all spoon licking officially expire - there's a new kid on the block and he totally understands the yumminess overload this cake cooking business has to offer!

Cake made and decorated, we headed to the local pool for a pool party with some of Lewis's friends and cousins.

 

 

With the formalities over, it was time for cake tasting.  It passed the test with the birthday boy!

 

 

 

 

To keep with the 'first' theme of the day, Lewis enjoyed his very first swim.  Which he loved.  

 

 

Happy Birthday beautiful boy, we love you 'big much' (as Heidi would say). xoxox

Talk talk talk...

I often get comments on how well Heidi can communicate.  She can quite easily string a sentence together and comes up with some very long ones at that!  She has had the verbal ability to boss me around for a good six months now. 

We are certainly never left in the dark wondering what she wants, how she's feeling or what she thinks about any given thing.

As soon as Darryn comes home she parks herself on the couch and shouts her orders - "I need a drink, Dad", "More biccies please Dad", "Put the blanket over me please Dad".  I shake my head as he runs after her.  His defence is "My Mum did it for me".

She does seem however to add a B to any word that she finds a bit tricky.

She likes cruskits with Bacado (Avocado) and Vegemite - but no Bamato (tomato) thanks Mum.

Whenever you ask what she would like for dinner "Bisotto (Risotto) please Mum".

She loves going on the tractor with Dad to give all the cows their Balasses (molasses).

And as I curse every morning at what destruction the wallabies have caused overnight in the garden she reassures me "Don't be sad Mum, Daddy will shoot the naughty Wobblies, so they won't eat your garden." 

Heidi is loving magic at the moment - she has a magic wand and is constantly turning us all into this that and everything.  She turned Darryn into a frog the other night then proceeded to shuffle him out the door because "Mummy doesn't like frogs in her house!"

As her independence grows I'm hearing a lot more "I can do it", "Leave me Mum", "I will do it by myself!" and "Go away Mum's". 

She can count to 14 and knows all her colours. 

This little ray of sunshine brings a smile to our face every single day with her antics.  So there's just a little snapshot of Heidi today - no doubt tomorrow she will come up with something new and equally hilarious. Can't wait :-)

Derby Day - Marlborough Style

Last weekend we donned our best Black & White attire for Derby Day.  We skipped the hustle and bustle of Flemington and instead opted for a day of racing - Marlborough Style.  No celebrities or horses were spotted but the atmosphere certainly rivalled that of any Melbourne race meet.  Fashions were also a highlight of the day, with everyone in the traditional Derby Day black and white.  With all my family up for the weekend - it was sure to be a great day.

 

Team Atkinson



Team Absolon

 
 
 


The Girls

 

The Boys

The Grandkids

 

Form guides were studied, tips were gathered, conditions were considered and bets were placed.  Some won, some lost.  Whenever I ask Darryn how he went for the day he always replies "I reckon I just about broke even".  The kids of course were in their element, although Heidi and Lewis did sleep for a majority of the day!  With all four grandparents and an abundance of Aunties and Uncles, Lewis's feet barely hit the floor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mama managed to gather the troops for this happy snap - although smiles were apparently a bit tricky to master!

 

 

Come days end, winnings were tallied, losses were forgotton and we all went home having enjoyed a wonderful day out filled with country spirit, good friends and happy memories.  Very much looking forward to next year!